Over 3,300 RTS meters yet to be replaced in Highland

Energy companies have been told to “redouble their efforts” as the Scottish Liberal Democrats reveal that there are over 3,300 RTS meters that are still to be replaced in the Highlands.

Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters receive radio signals to switch between different electricity rates or turn certain appliances on or off at specific times. The radio signal created by this technology, however, is outdated, so these meters are now being phased out.

On 30th June, the UK Government was forced to row back on switching off every RTS meter because energy companies had failed to replace meters at the pace required. If meters are switched off before they are replaced, households could be left with no heating or hot water.

After scrapping the June deadline, the UK Government brought forward a phased switch-off instead. The phased switch-off has been paused for the duration of the winter months in the north of Scotland, but is set to resume in March.

Through a freedom of information request to Ofgem, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have uncovered that in Scotland:

• As at 31st October, there were still 47,591 yet to be replaced in Scotland - this is around a third of all RTS meters still to be replaced across the UK.
• 24,978 of these are located in northern Scotland, and 30% of these are meters which belong to vulnerable customers who are on the Priority Services Register.
• In the Highland Council area alone, 3372 RTS meters are still to be replaced. That is the fourth highest total for a local authority in the country.
• Based on the current rate of meter replacement, an estimated 25,275 meters in Scotland will still need to be replaced come March 2026.

David Green, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:

“Energy companies are leaving too many in rural communities, not least in the Highlands, anxious and worried about the looming switch-off.

"Local people must not be left paying the price for industry failure.

“Frankly, the rate of progress is a joke. Energy companies have simply not done nearly enough to replace RTS meters, that much is clear. They must urgently redouble their efforts and keep customers updated. 

“Meantime, I would urge anyone with an RTS meter to get in touch with their supplier as soon as possible.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

You can find a spreadsheet of the information provided by Ofgem here.

The Priority Services Register provides extra advice and support about customers’ electricity, gas and water supply. It is available to customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs. You can read more about it here.

Ofgem also provided the following information:

Based on current projections for smart meter installation, Ofgem predicts that 25,275 RTS meters will still require replacement in Scotland by the end of March 2026.

In the House of Commons and Holyrood:

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael MP led a debate in the UK Parliament on 8 April. The Hansard copy can be found here: Radio Teleswitch Service Switch-off: Scotland - Hansard - UK Parliament

MSP for Shetland, Beatrice Wishart, also led a debate in the Scottish Parliament last month [20 May] where she highlighted the potentially devastating impact of the shutdown, particularly for homes in island and rural areas. The Office Report can be found here: Meeting of the Parliament: 20/05/2025 | Scottish Parliament Website